Hi Folks

I have a 2018 VRS. Can anyone recommend a set of snow chains they have used or known to be decent - any particular brands.

Thanks

Simon

Snowsocks. They do very little damage to your wheels and can be driven short distances on tarmac - unlike chans which have to be removed by law. They are also much easier to fit, cheaper and take up less space. Also used (allegedly) by the emergency services....

https://www.autosock.co.uk/

I would get chains over socks. Socks are easier to fit but the local police can turn you back if it's particularly bad (I'm assuming you're heading to the Alps?). It's a bad weekend for travel and this is from Snowheads just a minute ago: "Reports on the Val Thorens SCGB FB page that there is chaos on the road going up through Les Menuires. The police are turning back vehicles not equipped with chains. Snow socks will not suffice. It has apparently taken 2 1/2 hrs to travel 8.5km on the road down from VT."

More important than brand, practice putting them on. In the dark and cold and rain preferably - because that's what it'll be like when you actually have to put them on.

Have good gloves, a piece of cardboard to kneel on, a headtorch, and a good jacket (preferably not your ski jacket!).

I take the point and would get chains as a preference.

However, I have looked in my manual and it seems to suggest only snow socks for my 224/40R18 wheels. I am guessing it is something to do with clearance in the wheel arch.

Not going until March - so got a bit of time to sort.

I have a 2019 VRS245 running 225/40R18. Clearance is pretty tight to the shocker at the rear which is probably why Skoda say no to chains as a general principle at this tyre size.

If you go to the Konig website and use their selector they are likely to override this and offer their super low profile chains to overcome this problem. They say that they base their recommendations on real life testing and they do have an established reputation.

https://www.konigchain.com/consumer-configurator/

For my size I was offered König Reflex Edge 597, König K-Summit K23 or the König K-Slim 097 with the latter being the most cost reasonable option (despite not being cheap). The 097 suffix is the size designator.

The König K-Slim is a 7mm clearance chain obtained by twisted links and low profile fixings on the inside loop. They also claim that the design has a 'micro dynamic profile' meaning that it is less likely to lift off the tyre in travel, reducing clearance.

https://www.konigchain.com/chains/konig-k-slim/

They are manual adjust but looking at the fitting vid they are absolutely idiot proof.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoJrFGczXKs

Currently £178 on Amazon (the cheapest I have found them), one set left in my size (check compatibility with yours).

The cheaper (£123 cheapest) König CB-7 also has a 7mm twisted chain but only on the inside with conventional chain on the outside half which may cause you clearance problems at the arches over bumps.

Personally I would go for Slims and have just bought a set. Still to arrive so I can't comment on the fit in-use.

Honestly, it's better to get proper snow tyres than rely on snow chains. These come in all shapes, sizes and abilities. Winter tyres, Snow tyres, Extra heavy duty snow tyres with studs....long term over a couple of years they make far more sense.

I rock around with all Seasons which is what the weather dictates up here in Scotland....choose some tyres for your needs and location.

4 minutes ago, varaderoguy said:

Honestly, it's better to get proper snow tyres than rely on snow chains. These come in all shapes, sizes and abilities. Winter tyres, Snow tyres, Extra heavy duty snow tyres with studs....long term over a couple of years they make far more sense.

I rock around with all Seasons which is what the weather dictates up here in Scotland....choose some tyres for your needs and location.

I too use All Seasons but it appears the o/p is heading to the Alps where it is compulsory to carry chains in certain areas. Note too that even Michelin's really useful looking mesh "Michelin Easy Grip Evolution Limited 7" snow socks are not approved items in these locations. No chains, no-go and you get turned back, snow tyres or not.

Sigh...sounds bureaucratic to me IMHO. Honestly, when we have serious snow here in Scotland (metres of the stuff) the good winter tyres (such as the Pirelli WinterSotto tyres) are outstanding and IMHO would be way better than snow chains.

I have used chains and found that they gave so much traction that I kept stalling the engine when I was trying to climb up a steep earth bank.

Granted, I'd much rather use M&S tyres most of the time.

Does the requirement to carry chains simply mean carry - rather than fitting them being compulsory - in which case the snow socks may be sufficient for most conditions.

3 hours ago, Vrs252 said:

I have a 2019 VRS245 running 225/40R18. Clearance is pretty tight to the shocker at the rear which is probably why Skoda say no to chains as a general principle at this tyre size.

If you go to the Konig website and use their selector they are likely to override this and offer their super low profile chains to overcome this problem. They say that they base their recommendations on real life testing and they do have an established reputation.

https://www.konigchain.com/consumer-configurator/

For my size I was offered König Reflex Edge 597, König K-Summit K23 or the König K-Slim 097 with the latter being the most cost reasonable option (despite not being cheap). The 097 suffix is the size designator.

The König K-Slim is a 7mm clearance chain obtained by twisted links and low profile fixings on the inside loop. They also claim that the design has a 'micro dynamic profile' meaning that it is less likely to lift off the tyre in travel, reducing clearance.

https://www.konigchain.com/chains/konig-k-slim/

They are manual adjust but looking at the fitting vid they are absolutely idiot proof.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoJrFGczXKs

Currently £178 on Amazon (the cheapest I have found them), one set left in my size (check compatibility with yours).

The cheaper (£123 cheapest) König CB-7 also has a 7mm twisted chain but only on the inside with conventional chain on the outside half which may cause you clearance problems at the arches over bumps.

Personally I would go for Slims and have just bought a set. Still to arrive so I can't comment on the fit in-use.

This is very helpful thanks - I have the same size tyres. Those chains are quite punchy in price! I shall see what I can find second-hand I think. Sounds like 7mm / slim chains are the best bet. Incidentally I would only fir them to the front wheels so the tight clearance on the rear shouldn't be an issue.

1 hour ago, Warrior193 said:

I have used chains and found that they gave so much traction that I kept stalling the engine when I was trying to climb up a steep earth bank.

Granted, I'd much rather use M&S tyres most of the time.

Does the requirement to carry chains simply mean carry - rather than fitting them being compulsory - in which case the snow socks may be sufficient for most conditions.

Take your point. I think if there was a solid dump of snow I would rather be on chains coming down a series of hairpins with a sheer drop off the side - no matter what cunningness of the legal requirements may be.

FWIW mine are Konig chains too. They're good quality, and yes, relatively expensive. But in the unlikely event that you actually need to use them, you absolutely don't want cheapie chains that break after a few hundred meters...and it sounds like you may be limited by what is available to fit yours also.

We drive next weekend so just been practicing putting them on!

4 hours ago, Skodaddy18 said:

This is very helpful thanks - I have the same size tyres. Those chains are quite punchy in price! I shall see what I can find second-hand I think. Sounds like 7mm / slim chains are the best bet. Incidentally I would only fir them to the front wheels so the tight clearance on the rear shouldn't be an issue.

I've only had to use chains once for a short distance and so I probably could have got away with something less durable than the ones I had. If you're just looking for a box tick then you could try the budget ones below but note they may not be hardened and so may be less durable:

https://www.snowchains.com/car-snow-chains/polar-7mm

Note their qualifications, "For limited clearance applications on small vehicles" and "Not recommended for medium - large vehicles (See Konig/Thule 7mm high tensile)". You do have a VRS after all but if it's for short distances and you're gentle with the throttle then you may get by.

And yes, you only want them on the fronts.

5 hours ago, varaderoguy said:

Sigh...sounds bureaucratic to me IMHO. Honestly, when we have serious snow here in Scotland (metres of the stuff) the good winter tyres (such as the Pirelli WinterSotto tyres) are outstanding and IMHO would be way better than snow chains.

It's common sense really and applies to lot's of places that get a lot of snow, Europe, US & Canada. People head out on mountain roads with inappropriate boots and either get stuck, blocking the road for everyone or go off the road completely.

Not that different here, even with good winter tyres you're still going to get stuck behind the one in front doesn't have decent boots.

https://ebay.us/m/h2sy0Y

These will fit 225/40/18

On 11/01/2026 at 11:40, Vrs252 said:

I have a 2019 VRS245 running 225/40R18. Clearance is pretty tight to the shocker at the rear which is probably why Skoda say no to chains as a general principle at this tyre size.

If you go to the Konig website and use their selector they are likely to override this and offer their super low profile chains to overcome this problem. They say that they base their recommendations on real life testing and they do have an established reputation.

https://www.konigchain.com/consumer-configurator/

For my size I was offered König Reflex Edge 597, König K-Summit K23 or the König K-Slim 097 with the latter being the most cost reasonable option (despite not being cheap). The 097 suffix is the size designator.

The König K-Slim is a 7mm clearance chain obtained by twisted links and low profile fixings on the inside loop. They also claim that the design has a 'micro dynamic profile' meaning that it is less likely to lift off the tyre in travel, reducing clearance.

https://www.konigchain.com/chains/konig-k-slim/

They are manual adjust but looking at the fitting vid they are absolutely idiot proof.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoJrFGczXKs

Currently £178 on Amazon (the cheapest I have found them), one set left in my size (check compatibility with yours).

The cheaper (£123 cheapest) König CB-7 also has a 7mm twisted chain but only on the inside with conventional chain on the outside half which may cause you clearance problems at the arches over bumps.

Personally I would go for Slims and have just bought a set. Still to arrive so I can't comment on the fit in-use.

Great advice thanks. Did they arrive yet and have you fitted them? All ok?

Yep, Konig K-Slim size 097 is a perfect fit for the VRS 225/40R18 combo and there is tight but decent clearance to the strut and the arch liner on lock. Good clearance to the outer arch too.

Also be aware that Konig was bought out by Thule and for a while re-branded to Thule before returning to the Konig name. If looking for second hand you may find Thule CK-7 chains size 097 which are identical to the Konig K-Slim.